Bikes - show me yours

The two blue :love: ๐Ÿ™Œ (and the black..)
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I don't have photographs of all of my bikes, as back when I was a kid you had to book a photographer with a gunpowder flash and I couldn't keep still long enough.
Here are some photo's that I do have though...

RD250LC and Ducati ST3S abs:
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Yamaha MT01 and Ducati Diavel:
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Moto Guzzi V7 Anniversario:
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Iโ€™ve had many but the next one is going to be a standard BMW k100 โ€œFlying Brickโ€
 
Since there's a few of us who ride here, I thought it a good place to ask. I have the Street Triple 765RS and I'm happy with it and is never going. Done almost 14k on it in all weather and I've loved it the last 5 years. But lately I've found I've wanted to expand my palette a bit and buy something to go alongside it. The issue is I have no idea what. Was thinking something better, possibly one of the super nakeds but as someone said, it may put me off riding the 765 but I don't think it will. That will become full time commuter as on my roads it's ideal for it. Plus when I drive, it's often in an old Suzuki Swift instead of the 86 so I can do it, despite having a far better car at home.

I tested the Speed Triple 1200 RS, engine is fantastic but it's rock hard, they do have issues, and I suspect a new one is imminent that has the electronic suspension off the RR. I could try that but I want to try another marque. Super bikes like the RSV4, R1, etc are too small for me and without some stretching I don't know how long I could hold he position. The Tuono 1100 V4 could be good but again, dealers are miles away should I have an issue. Whatever I get has to be a good road bike. Never been on track with one so far.

Dealers in Swansea are a concern since a few have just gone so the likes of Aprilia, BMW are a venture into England, Ducati is Cardiff but it's probably out of budget anyway. We have Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda and while I've ridden a Tracer 900 GT before, I got the Triple instead of it back in 2019.

As I said I really don't know so I'm after some suggestions. The only make I won't consider his Harley and possibly KTM but only because of mates who had them be in the garage more than the road and I don't really like the styling. Will probably be used, less than 3yrs old unless there's a good new deal.
 
Since there's a few of us who ride here, I thought it a good place to ask. I have the Street Triple 765RS and I'm happy with it and is never going. Done almost 14k on it in all weather and I've loved it the last 5 years. But lately I've found I've wanted to expand my palette a bit and buy something to go alongside it. The issue is I have no idea what. Was thinking something better, possibly one of the super nakeds but as someone said, it may put me off riding the 765 but I don't think it will. That will become full time commuter as on my roads it's ideal for it. Plus when I drive, it's often in an old Suzuki Swift instead of the 86 so I can do it, despite having a far better car at home.

I tested the Speed Triple 1200 RS, engine is fantastic but it's rock hard, they do have issues, and I suspect a new one is imminent that has the electronic suspension off the RR. I could try that but I want to try another marque. Super bikes like the RSV4, R1, etc are too small for me and without some stretching I don't know how long I could hold he position. The Tuono 1100 V4 could be good but again, dealers are miles away should I have an issue. Whatever I get has to be a good road bike. Never been on track with one so far.

Dealers in Swansea are a concern since a few have just gone so the likes of Aprilia, BMW are a venture into England, Ducati is Cardiff but it's probably out of budget anyway. We have Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda and while I've ridden a Tracer 900 GT before, I got the Triple instead of it back in 2019.

As I said I really don't know so I'm after some suggestions. The only make I won't consider his Harley and possibly KTM but only because of mates who had them be in the garage more than the road and I don't really like the styling. Will probably be used, less than 3yrs old unless there's a good new deal.
I run a Ktm superduke 1290, mate runs a Yamaha mt10
Both cracking road bikes
A few niggles with my Ktm but nothing thatโ€™s stopped me riding it
I bought it late last year as they were offering 4k off and 4 year warranty, cheap finance too.
My mate bought his mt10 similar time as they were offering ยฃ1500 of accessories
We both ran Suzuki gsx s1000 before, mine the current model, his the previous
Theyโ€™re a good bike for the money but not in the league of super naked Iโ€™d ssy
Aprilia would be a good choice, I had the rsv4 1100 before, cracking engine
I fancied the street fighter v4 as Iโ€™ve got a panigale v4 but a lot of money for a naked bike in my eyes
I didnโ€™t get round to trying the triumph , owned the previous version tho
A better deal and part exchange and cracking demo ride sealed the Ktm for me
Mark
 
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I run a Ktm superduke 1290, mate runs a Yamaha mt10
Both cracking road bikes
A few niggles with my Ktm but nothing thatโ€™s stopped me riding it
I bought it late last year as they were offering 4k off and 4 year warranty, cheap finance too.
My mate bought his mt10 similar time as they were offering ยฃ1500 of accessories
We both ran Suzuki gsx s1000 before, mine the current model, his the previous
Theyโ€™re a good bike for the money but not in the league of super naked Iโ€™d ssy
Aprilia would be a good choice, I had the rsv4 1100 before, cracking engine
I fancied the street fighter v4 as Iโ€™ve got a panigale v4 but a lot of money for a naked bike in my eyes
I didnโ€™t get round to trying the triumph , owned the previous version tho
A better deal and part exchange and cracking demo ride sealed the Ktm for me
Mark
Thanks for this. How have you found the KTM dealer to deal with? (No need to mention who they are. I live in Gorseinon)
 
Thanks for this. How have you found the KTM dealer to deal with? (No need to mention who they are. I live in Gorseinon)
I find them great, bought a few bikes from there so get along well with them
The only pain in the arse was booking it in for its first service
About three weeks wait to get it serviced. Ktm strict about mileage so they warned me not to exceed 700 miles for the first service. Warranty claim for the fuel cap went through no issues
3000 miles on it now
So far , I feel Iโ€™d buy another come the time
 
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I find them great, bought a few bikes from there so get along well with them
The only pain in the arse was booking it in for its first service
About three weeks wait to get it serviced. Ktm strict about mileage so they warned me not to exceed 700 miles for the first service. Warranty claim for the fuel cap went through no issues
3000 miles on it now
So far , I feel Iโ€™d buy another come the time
I had a puncture last year, pushed it from Llansamlet, got to Penllergaer hill and another biker said he'd follow me there to fix it. I knew they wouldn't as I know they are always busy. Sure enough, they couldn't fit another tyre for at least 6 weeks so I pushed it home. Got my local tyre fitter to fit one instead. That's my only concern if I need servicing or warranty work done. Others have said to be cautious of getting a super naked as the Triple wouldn't get a look in but I can't see me getting anything else. It may just be that I'm just wanting a taste of something else so I could see if I can get some test rides in.
 
I had a puncture last year, pushed it from Llansamlet, got to Penllergaer hill and another biker said he'd follow me there to fix it. I knew they wouldn't as I know they are always busy. Sure enough, they couldn't fit another tyre for at least 6 weeks so I pushed it home. Got my local tyre fitter to fit one instead. That's my only concern if I need servicing or warranty work done. Others have said to be cautious of getting a super naked as the Triple wouldn't get a look in but I can't see me getting anything else. It may just be that I'm just wanting a taste of something else so I could see if I can get some test rides in.
Perhaps it depends if they know you etc. I was having the Ktm serviced when a mate from work pulled up with a puncture, new tyre fitted there and then
They always seem too busy tho
Theyโ€™ve leant me a bike for a week before when my zx10 was having a gearbox recall
Jtโ€™s were great when I bought the gsxs , took the demo out Friday afternoon, agreed to buy a new bike about 3pm, picked it up 11am Saturday
You couldnโ€™t get that with m&p
I prefer a sportsbike to a super naked but thereโ€™s getting less opportunity to use it properly compared to a super naked
As you say, ride a few, see what you like
Mark
 
Perhaps it depends if they know you etc. I was having the Ktm serviced when a mate from work pulled up with a puncture, new tyre fitted there and then
They always seem too busy tho
Theyโ€™ve leant me a bike for a week before when my zx10 was having a gearbox recall
Jtโ€™s were great when I bought the gsxs , took the demo out Friday afternoon, agreed to buy a new bike about 3pm, picked it up 11am Saturday
You couldnโ€™t get that with m&p
I prefer a sportsbike to a super naked but thereโ€™s getting less opportunity to use it properly compared to a super naked
As you say, ride a few, see what you like
Mark
I took the Tracer 700 and 900 out with JT's and came very close to buying one as they couldn't do enough for me. Mates even stick to Suzuki and Yamaha because they treat them so well. But I happened to be in Cardiff for something else, passed Bevan's and within 5mins they gave me a lid and I was on a Triple. Sold me immediately and I had it a week later brand new.

I'd like a sports bike because it's faired but I don't know how my back would hold out and being 6'1, many are jockey sized. Even the Triple is a touch small for me.
 
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Ive had bikes since I was 15 (in the mid 80s). I have a bunch of yamaha 2 strokes; LC, YPVS and 500. Some restored, some being restored, some resto modded and some very modded. I have a website with the stories of them on (2smoked.com if anyone is keen to look) which I stopped updating (and paying the bill on) last year but its mostly still up. I also have an XT500 which is modded with KTM supermoto parts and a lot of custom work and has taken me a lot of time to get right, its never finished of course...

Eg:

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Me 1981 9th LC250 to be delivered in the UK, even got a free Bell helmet from Yahama due to production delays.
 

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I took the Tracer 700 and 900 out with JT's and came very close to buying one as they couldn't do enough for me. Mates even stick to Suzuki and Yamaha because they treat them so well. But I happened to be in Cardiff for something else, passed Bevan's and within 5mins they gave me a lid and I was on a Triple. Sold me immediately and I had it a week later brand new.

I'd like a sports bike because it's faired but I don't know how my back would hold out and being 6'1, many are jockey sized. Even the Triple is a touch small for me.
I had a 1050 speed triple from Bevans, good service from them, then a 1050 r
See what you mean about size at your height tho , Iโ€™m 5โ€™10 and found the street triple 675 too small back then
 
Not ridden anything yet but sat on quite a bit after adventuring into England to go to a few garages. Leg position on most sports bikes is hard work and having big feet, make shifting tricky. Position on the Tuono and the Super Duke are both good, bit not keen on the switchgear or look of the KTM. Ducati are probably out of budget but sat on both the Streetfighter and the Diavel and both were nice. Surprises were the BMW S1000XR and the Suzuki S1000GX, both being a comfy position and I liked the layout.

Sunday I took the Triple on my regular loop around the A40 and pushed it a bit harder than normal. It's still more than enough and I still have more to find with it, so it's still not going anywhere. I do at least have consensus on getting something completely different at least for now. Aprilia is still the front runner if I ever do decide to replace the Triple. I either get a tourer like that Suzuki or a Tiger 1200 or go the other way and go older and buy older bikes I've never had chance to try, run them for a bit and sell on.